Experimentation

The vibe

The crowd

The drinks

The food

Our Review

First impression?With its subtle gray facade and dimly lit interiors, Quinary doesn’t immediately strike you as a heavy-hitter. But this is one of Hong Kong’s most ambitious bars, consistently scooping up awards for owner-mixologist Antonio Lai's otherworldly concoctions. Narrow and often packed shoulder-to-shoulder, the bar isn’t the most comfortable for mingling, but large groups can use the lounge to the right of the entrance.

Cool. So who’s there?Couples love this bar. It might have something to do with the quirky cocktails that are oh-so-Instagrammable, or perhaps it's the cozy nooks, upholstered leather furniture, and extensive wine list. Come weekends, the place fills up with trendy twosomes of the local, expat, and tourist varieties.

How are the drinks?Lai is considered the "King of Cocktails" in Hong Kong; he was the city's first bartender to embrace molecular and multi-sensory techniques. Skilled mixologists use everything from evaporators to centrifuges, sous vide to foam. Served in playful containers, the 40-plus cocktails are both pretty and tasty. The most famous—and most photographed—of Lai’s creations is the Earl Grey Caviar Martini, which unexpectedly combines citrus vodka, Cointreau, cucumber, and elderflower with bergamot caviar-esque pearls and an aromatic mountain of Earl Grey-infused foam.

Did the staff do you right?Enthusiastic and highly efficient, Quinary mixologists make seemingly convoluted cocktails in a matter of seconds. It’s amazing to watch and, thankfully, almost every seat in the house has a view of the bar.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?If you’re looking for quality tipples and theatrics to go along with, Quinary pours plenty of both.